Minister warns of resource waste and declining education standards as Nigeria ban new federal universities.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a seven-year moratorium on the creation of new federal universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, aiming to curb duplication and boost the quality of existing institutions.

Speaking after FEC meeting, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa said access to tertiary education was no longer the country’s main challenge.

“Several federal universities operate far below capacity, with some having fewer than 2,000 students. In one northern university, there are 1,200 staff serving fewer than 800 students. This is a waste of government resources,” he said.

Alausa noted that duplication of federal institutions had significantly reduced their overall capacity.

CBI News reports that he also revealed that during the latest Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exercise, many schools recorded fewer than 100 applicants.

The minister warned that the unchecked proliferation of poorly subscribed institutions could lead to ill-prepared graduates, damage the credibility of Nigerian degrees abroad, and worsen unemployment.

The moratorium will allow the government to focus on upgrading facilities, recruiting qualified staff, and expanding capacity at existing schools.

“If we want to improve quality and not be a laughing stock globally, the pragmatic step is to pause the establishment of new federal institutions,” Alausa said.

The FEC also approved plans to review and reform guidelines for approving new private universities to ensure efficiency and sustainability.